High wind warning for Scotland upgraded by Met Office

The agency had issued several yellow "be aware" warning, but many have now been upgraded to amber "be prepared".

It predicted widespread gusts of 60 to 70mph, although these could be as high as 90mph in exposed parts of north and west Scotland.

The winds are forecast to ease down in most areas by Thursday afternoon.

Analysis

By Alex DeakinBBC Weather

These sorts of winter storms are not especially rare, but this does look like being a rather powerful example of one.

We would expect a storm like this to hit the UK a couple of times each winter.

The low itself was only just forming at lunchtime today but the atmospheric conditions are such that it will deepen explosively overnight, before hitting other parts of mainland Europe on Thursday.

The amber warning covers most parts of Scotland, as well as the north and east of England, Yorkshire and Humber, and the East Midlands.

Yellow warnings remain in place for Grampian, Northern Ireland, Wales, London and south east England and the West Midlands.

Senior Met Office advisor Graeme Forrester said: "The worst of the conditions are forecast in the Highlands and northern Scotland. However, parts of the central belt will also be affected by some very strong winds during Thursday morning's rush hour period."

The winds are likely to impact on ferry services and lead to speed restrictions on some bridges, and commuters and motorists have been urged to prepare for challenging conditions in the morning rush hour.

Scotrail announced on Wednesday evening that at least 20 routes would have no service running on Thursday.

On remaining routes, no trains will run until 07:00. All lines will be subject to speed restrictions.

David Dickson, Network Rail area director for the west of Scotland, said: "The extreme nature of the conditions, and the potential impact they can have on our infrastructure, means that speed restrictions and other measures are necessary in the interests of safety.

"We are working closely with the train operators and other industry partners to do everything we can to reduce disruption, while also operating a safe network for passengers."

'Coastal flooding'

Train operator East Coast said it would run a revised timetable throughout Thursday as large parts of the route were expected to be affected by heavy wind and rain.

East Coast services from Aberdeen, Inverness and Glasgow on Thursday will begin from Edinburgh. Northbound services from Edinburgh will be subject to disruption.

The Met Office said there was also the potential for "significant coastal flooding" in parts of southeast Scotland, as well as north Wales and northwest England.